Efforts to end homelessness

2012-11-08T14:18:12Z2012-11-22T14:18:01Z

SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) -

Hundreds of Shreveport and Bossier City's homeless lined up at First United Methodist Church as early as 5:00 AM Thursday morning for the 19th annual Operation Stand Down. It is an event co-hosted by HOPE for the Homeless and Overton Brooks VA Medical Center, and it opens its doors at 8 AM. They have one goal: ending homelessness.

Those who show up will have opportunities to learn about legal and educational information, employment, social work services, and public benefits assistance. There will also be a cafeteria serving food, a booth for haircuts, and ¼ of the gym is stacked with clothes for the taking.

After 19 years, Operation Stand Down has the event scheduled to run smoothly, but, as the temperatures drop, they say they could always use donations in the form of warm clothing to hand out. The event will go throughout the day Thursday until 4 PM.